Wm. Egan,
recently from Goose Lake, is building a livery stable, and will soon be
ready for business.Ashland Tidings, December
21, 1883, page 3

The new livery stable at Medford for
McMahon &
Egan was finished this week and is pronounced a substantial and
commodious structure. Messrs. J. T. Roloson and Adam Schmitt of this
place done the carpenter work.
The new livery stable at Medford, owned
by McMahon
& Egan, is a most substantial structure. And the proprietors
will
always be ready to furnish food and stable room at lowest rates.
Vehicles of all kinds to go in that part of the country can also be had
at this stable."Local Items," Oregon
Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 12, 1884, page 3

Wm. Egan, of Medford, has sold his
livery stables in
that place to Messrs. Llewellyn & Lynch, who recently came out
from
Kansas, receiving for the real estate and entire livery outfit $3,000.
Mr. Egan is now in Ashland, and may possibly conclude to locate here."Brevities," Ashland
Tidings, October 17, 1884, page 3

SOLD OUT--Frank Lewellen has sold out his interest in the Medford
livery stable to Ed Worman, a newcomer from the East, for $2,000 and
will give possession on the 16th inst. Mr. Lewellen has not yet decided
on the business he will follow from now on.Oregon
Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 14, 1885, page 3

March 13, 1888 Southern Oregon Transcript

Fire at Medford.

Medford
had a small loss by fire last Sunday night. The two harness shops and
Hubbard's machinery warehouse on [the] south side of the main business
street were burned, together with a considerable part of the contents
of the buildings. Losses are reported as follows: W. G. Cooper, $2500;
F. Hubbard, $600; B. F. Adkins, $100. The buildings were of wood. It
took hard work to save the livery stable property adjacent.Ashland Tidings, December 13, 1889, page 2

UNION LIVERY STABLE. Edwin Worman, Proprietor, 7th and B streets.
This business was started six years ago, and does a large trade. The
stables are eighty feet square and afford accommodations for a large
number of horses. Mr. Worman does a livery, feed and sale business, his
stock of buggies, carriages, saddle horses, etc., being unsurpassed.
Horses are boarded by the day, week or month and cared for by
experienced hostlers. This gentleman also runs the daily stage to
Jacksonville. He came here from Nebraska and has achieved the success
of which
he is worthy.P. W. Croake, The Rogue River Valley, "The
Italy of Oregon," Glass & Prudhomme, Portland,
Oregon. Undated, written March 1891.

For ten long years the Union Livery
Stables, of Medford, and Ed. Worman have been as one. But the ties
which have bound the two have been severed, and Frank Mingus has taken
up the business where Mr. Worman let go--a feat accomplished by Mr.
Mingus purchasing the entire outfit, consisting of twenty-one head of
horses, seven hacks, six buggies, all harness, robes and the whole
business complete, including the stables and the three lots upon which
they stand; the consideration being $5000. Mr. Mingus has a hole heap
of hustle in his makeup, and if he properly utilizes it there is no
good reason why he should not make several honest dollars. Mr. Worman
has made a goodly sum in the business, and his retiring from it is
purely because of his desire to rest from the cares incident there to
and--as the boys tell--loan his dollars, of which he has accumulated
several, at least. Another spring Mr. Worman expects to go east for a
brief stay."News of the City," Medford Mail, October
5, 1894, page 3

F. M. Mingus has had a new plank walk built at the Union Livery Stables
and also made other improvements to the property."Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, January 31, 1895, page 2

Dick Besse has purchased an interest in
the Williams Bros. Union Livery Stables, the style of the new firm
being Williams & Besse. The new combination does not in any way
detract from the general popularity of the Union stables, but instead
adds much to it that would tend to strengthen. Dick is a favorite with
pretty nearly everybody and is a cracking good liveryman. Williams
Bros. have built up a splendid business since coming to Medford--all of
which has been well deserved. The new firm has added to its always good
teams by purchasing from D. T. Lawton his fine Altamont driving team,
said to be the best all-'round roadsters in the valley."News of the City," Medford Mail, October 2, 1896, page 7

Last Friday catalogued another business
change in Medford, E. P. Orser, of this place, having purchased an
interest in Williams Bros. livery stable, and the business will
hereafter be conducted under the firm name of Williams & Orser.
Since Mr. Orser has been a resident of Medford he has proven himself to
be an honest and upright gentleman, and The Mail feels
justified in saying that any confidence reposed in Mr. Orser will not
be misplaced--and the same can be said of Mr. Williams."News of the City," Medford Mail, February
5, 1897, page 7

I. A. Mounce has sold his livery stock,
consisting of horses, harness and buggies to Messrs. Williams &
Childers, which gentlemen are now conducting the business as heretofore
and at the "New Brick Stable." By the last purchase is consolidated the
livery business of Medford. Where formerly there were three livery
stables there is now but one, and this one of gigantic proportion.
Under the new regime there is brought together a stable filled with the
best driving horses in Southern Oregon. There are thirty-five horses in
the three barns and about thirty carriages. Medford can truthfully
boast of the best livery turnouts in Oregon."A Grist of Local Haps and Mishaps," Medford Mail, April 30, 1897, page 7

John Compton and Del. Terrill of the Union Livery
Stables at Medford have been in town several times during the week.
They are doing a lively business in that line."Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 17, 1898, page 3

Dissolution of Partnership.

Notice
is hereby given that the co-partnership heretofore existing under the
firm name of Compton & Terrill, proprietors of the Union Livery
Stables, is by mutual consent this day dissolved. Mr. Terrill retires
and the business will be continued by Mr. Compton. All accounts due the
firm are payable to Mr. Compton, and all accounts owed by the firm will
be paid by him. A settlement of all accounts must be made at once.

JOHN COMPTON,DELBERT TERRILL.

Medford, Oregon, May 7, 1898.Medford Mail, May 20, 1898, page 7

John
Compton of
the Union Livery Stable has had his
carriages and hacks
repainted in
fine style by
Geo.
Coulter."Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville,
July 7, 1898, page 3

John Compton has disposed of his interest in the
Union Livery Stables to Emil DeRoboam of Jacksonville and Ned Orser, and
has returned to his farm at Lake Creek."Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 5, 1899, page 2

Emil DeRoboam, proprietor of the Union
Livery Stables, is fitting out his livery stock in splendid shape. He
is making many repairs on old rigs and adding several new ones, also
putting in new driving horses. Mr. DeRoboam is a man of business--a
fact which is noticeable everywhere about the stables."City Happenings," Medford Mail, May 25, 1900, page 7

The Union
Livery Stable (far left) at Main and Bartlett circa 1905.

E. B. Jennings, of Table Rock, has
purchased the Union Livery Stable from Emil DeRoboam. Mr. Jennings will
add several new rigs to the stable and will put in a number of fresh
horses, and those horses now in the barn which have been worked down
will be put out to pasture for a few weeks. Mr. Jennings is a jolly
good fellow and a friend to pretty nearly everybody--and a hustler, all
of which are adjuncts necessary in the makeup of a successful
liveryman. The Mail hopes success will always be with him in his new venture."Additional Local Items," Medford Mail, July 20, 1900, page 2

E. B. Jennings, the new proprietor of the
Union Livery Stables, is unquestionably a well-qualified liveryman and
is doing a cracking good business. He is making many changes about the
stables--remodeling and cleaning up generally. He has also added
several new driving horses to his already large number of drivers, and
best of all he has put in pasture several head of worked-out
animals--giving them a needful rest. Mr. Jennings also keeps his rigs
in splendid repair."City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 10, 1900, page 7

E. B. Jennings has purchased the Dr.
Pickel residence, now occupied by Mrs. L. J. Sears, consideration
$1000. The dwelling is very suitably situated for Mr. Jennings, being
near the Union Livery Stables, of which he is proprietor. Possession of
the property will be given within thirty days, when Mr. Jennings will
occupy the residence with his family, who now reside on the farm over
at Table Rock."City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 24, 1900, page 7

R. S. Lane, of Roseburg, has purchased an
interest in the Union Livery Stables from E. S. Jennings--and the two
will continue the business under the firm name of Jennings & Lane.
Mr. Lane is a very fine gentleman and a good business man, and there is
no good reason why the hitherto big business of the stables should not
continue--and increase--under the new management and added assistance
of Mr. Lane. Mr. Lane has also invested some money in Medford real
estate--and may become the possessor of more."City Happenings," Medford Mail, November 23, 1900, page 7

Last week these columns said that S. R.
Lane, of Roseburg, had purchased a half interest in the Union Livery
Stable, from E. B. Jennings. This week we are telling you that he has
sold out again--to Mr. Jennings. It was like this:--The purchase was
made conditioned that if Mr. Lane could make the purchase of certain
real estate here the deal was a go with Mr. Jennings, but if he could
not the Jennings deal was off. Mr. Lane was unable to secure the real
estate--hence the sequel--Mr. Jennings is alone again. Later--Here is
another hence: M. F. Cown, of Oregon City, has bought a half interest
in the stables--and the firm is now Jennings & McCown."City Happenings," Medford Mail, November 30, 1900, page 7

The firm of Jennings & Lane, which has been
conducting the Union Livery Stables, was dissolved a short time since.
E. B. Jennings will continue the business. He is in California at
present.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 13, 1900, page 3

About the first of the present month E.
B. Jennings, one of the proprietors of the Union Livery Stable in this
city, boarded the northbound train, saying he was going to Myrtle Creek
to look after some mining interests. It has since transpired that he
had misappropriated the sum of $123, and that a warrant for his arrest
on a charge of larceny by bailee is now in the hands of Sheriff Orme,
who is endeavoring to locate his present whereabouts. The warrant was
issued at the instigation of W. Cramer, of Myrtle Creek. Jennings, our
reporter is told, acted as an agent for Mr. Cramer, for the purchase of
some wheat. He shipped him one carload and a few days later notified
him that he had another carload ready for shipment upon receipt of the
money to pay for same. Mr. Cramer forwarded him the money, $243, which
he claims Jennings appropriated to his own use. The last seen of
Jennings was in Portland, where he is said to have stated that he was
going to St. Paul upon business connected with the Southern Pacific
railroad. The information against him was wired to the Portland police,
but they have been unable to locate him. It is thought that he has gone
to Alaska."City Happenings," Medford Mail, March 15, 1901, page 7

McCown & Jennings, the Union liverymen, are
doing a good business and generally satisfying the traveling public.Medford Enquirer, April 27, 1901, page 5
Messrs. McCown and Jennings, the energetic
proprietors of the Union Livery Stables, are doing a good business.
Prompt and courteous, always vigilant in their efforts to accommodate
the traveling public, they have become deservedly popular."Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 16, 1901, page 5

M. F. McCown has sold the horses and
rigs of the Union Livery Stables to Messrs. Fox & Good, the Ashland
liverymen, who took possession of the stables Tuesday."Purely Personal," Medford Mail, August 16, 1901, page 6

The Union Livery Stables are now under the
management of H. J. Mattoon and Wm. Fox, late of Ashland, Messrs.
McCown and Jennings having retired."Medford
Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville,
August 22, 1901, page 2 H. J. Mattoon
is the gentleman who is in charge of the Union Livery Stables, which
were purchased last week by Mr. Fox, of Ashland. He tells that things
about the place were pretty badly run down, but says Mr. Fox will make
over all the rigs that are worth repairing and will add many new ones.
He will also put in several head of new horses and will keep everything
about the place in first-class shape. Mr. Mattoon is a liveryman of
experience and proposes to do everything the right way and treat every
customer square."City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 23, 1901, page 7

The Medford livery stables have consolidated and are now run under one management. The brick stables [i.e., the Nash] are closed and are only used for storage rooms, all business being done at the Union barns."City Happenings," Medford Mail, October 4, 1901, page 7

The owner of the Union Livery Stable
property was ordered to connect the vehicle washing apparatus with the
sewer."City Council Proceedings," Medford Mail, February 7, 1902, page 6

The proprietors of the Union Livery
Stables have a crew of men at work putting new flooring in the Nash
Livery Stable and making divers other improvements. On the 15th inst.
they will open this barn and run it in connection with their other
stables."Additional Local," Medford Mail, April 4, 1902, page 6

The proprietors of the Union Livery
Stables have taken ten of their reserve horses from the pastures and
now have them in their brick stables, fitting them for the summer work.
These gentlemen have also put in several new rigs--bought from
Mitchell, Lewis & Staver Co."Additional Local," Medford Mail, April 18, 1902, page 6

Wm.
Beckley, of Oakland,
Oregon, was in Medford
this week looking over
the business situation.
He was very favorably
impressed with the city
and is now figuring on
the proposition of
buying an interest in
the Union Livery Stable.
"Purely Personal,"
Medford
Mail, April
25, 1902, page 6

The Union
Livery Stable has about served its usefulness, and ere many years a new
stable will, presumably, be erected on the lots. Here is a grand
opportunity for an architect to do some good work."City
Happenings," Medford
Mail, August 8, 1902, page 7
Fox & Good, who have been conducting the Union
Livery Stables in Medford, on Saturday sold out to Chas. E. Tull,
acting for Cox & Scott. The new proprietors are well and favorably
known, already being engaged in the same business."Medford
Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 10, 1902, page 4

There were some changes in the livery
business in Medford this week. Fox & Goode have transferred the
Union Livery Stables and the lease of the Nash brick barn to Chas. E.
Tull, acting for D. T. Cox, and the latter has sold his interest in the
C Street stables to James Scott. It is the understanding that Mr. Scott
will lease the brick barn on D Street and will continue the business of
the C Street stables at that point, while Mr. Cox will hold forth at
the Union stables.Medford
Mail, December 12, 1902, page 2

True Cox is now proprietor of the Union Livery
Stables, which means they will be run in a first-class manner and for
the accommodation of the public. Don't forget True when you want a rig.Medford Enquirer, December 13, 1902, page 5

LANDMARK TO BE REMOVEDHandsome Brick Block Will Occupy Present Site of the Union Livery Stable.

The passing away of a landmark is what's going to
happen in Medford one of these days. The initial move in this passing
act was made on Monday of this week when F. K. Deuel purchased from
Mrs. Conrad Mingus the old Union Livery Stable property, corner of East
Seventh and B streets. For years--since Medford was a yearling, or
thereabouts, the Union Livery Stable has occupied this corner, and in
those early days it had just as good a right to be there as did others
of the few much less pretentious buildings a right to their preempted
quarters, but conditions have changed in this blooming metropolis of
ours, and those things which looked pretty good to the then-few
inhabitants don't bear the earmarks of respectability required by the
several thousand people who inhabit our town today. Then again this
stable has been sort o' in the way for some time past--in the way of
the advancement of other business in that locality. The purchase
by Mr. Deuel of
this property insures a removal of the
old buildings and the erection of new ones thereon. The property is
75x140 feet in size, and the price paid for it was $9500.
In January Mr. Deuel will go East, and before
returning it is his intention to make a careful study of modern store
architecture, and just so soon as weather will permit in the spring he
will commence the construction of a three-story store building. The
building will cover the entire corner and when completed will be
occupied by
Messrs. Deuel & Kentner. This firm will occupy all three floors and
will undoubtedly add other lines to their stock, but will not put in
either groceries or hardware.
The removal of these old buildings from this corner
and the erection of new ones thereon is an act which will entitle Mr.
Deuel to the sincere gratitude of our townspeople, especially those who
live in East Medford or who have nearby business interests.
I. L. Hamilton, the
renter of the Union stables, has not decided where he will move his
livery business, but he will, in all probability, buy property
elsewhere and build.Medford
Mail, December 7, 1906, page 1

I.
L.
Hamilton, proprietor of the
Union Livery Stables, has purchased the E. Worman property, corner
South B and Eighth streets, and which extends east to South A Street.
Mr. Hamilton is now having plans drawn for a fine livery stable, which
he will erect thereon."City
Happenings," Medford Mail, December 14, 1906, page
5

BUILD NEW BARN.

Work was started yesterday to tear out the buildings for the large new
store belonging to Deuel & Kentner. The Union Livery Stable is
one
of the buildings to go, and for the present temporary quarters have
been arranged for one block south of the present location. Duncan
&
Koontz announce that they will erect a large new barn on the lot
between A and B streets, south of the present location. The livery will
be moved tomorrow.Medford Mail, July
17, 1908, page 8

The new
Union Livery Stables barn, March 1910, as seen from the roof
of St. Mary's Academy at Eleventh and Holly.

NEW
LIVERY FOR MEDFORD.

C. O. Power, architect, in the employ of Perkins & Janney, is
putting in long hours these days perfecting plans and specifications
for a grand new livery barn for R. O. Duncan.
The site for this structure is on Eighth
Street,
between Riverside Avenue and Bartlett Street. It will face on Bartlett
Street and will extend east the full width of the block.
The building will be 64x134 feet in
size, built of lumber, but later will have a brick veneering on the
outside. It will be two stories high and will have stabling room for 60
head of horses and a carriage room capable of accommodating 44 rigs and
six or eight automobiles. The second story will afford room for 50 tons
of loose hay or 100 tons of baled hay.
Part of the second story will be used
for a carriage
and automobile room and will be reached with these vehicles by an
elevator operated by an electric motor. There will be sleeping rooms
for employees, a harness room and a toilet. Besides these, there will
be the office and a nicely fitted up waiting room with lavatory and
toilet for ladies.
The cost of the building will be about
$5000. The
site, as described above, is just one block south of where the old
Union Stables were located for so many years. This building, when
completed, will be as convenient and imposing a structure as it is
possible to make a structure for this use, and Mr. Duncan is entitled
to a great amount of credit for his enterprise in putting up so good a
building.Medford
Mail, August 21, 1908, page 5

NEW LIVERY BARN.

The
new livery stable situated on Riverside Avenue, between Eighth and
Ninth streets, R. O. Duncan, proprietor, will be a commodious
structure, 64x140 feet, two stories, accommodate with sheds 100 head of
stock, will be known as the Union Stables. Roofing of fireproof
material, ready to occupy in about 30 days. Temporary sheds are now
being used.Medford
Mail, October 16, 1908, page 10

Ed Bostwick has resigned his position
with the Union Livery Stable of this city and will take charge of the
West Side Stable at Medford in the near future."Local News," Jacksonville Post, May 3, 1913, page 3

Fire,
caused either by defective wiring, the generally accepted theory, or
smoking in the hay loft by an unknown man, little credited, destroyed
the Union livery and feed stables on South Riverside Avenue last night
at 11 o'clock, at an estimated damage totaling $15,000. Seven head of
horses, thirteen wagons and two dozen sets of harness and other
equipment, two unoccupied houses belonging to Mrs. L. R. Parker and
about 500 tons of loose green hay were burned. The blaze was the most
spectacular in the history of the city, and for a time imperiled the
business district. Most work in preventing the spread of the flames was
done by the fire department.
The fire was discovered at 11 o'clock by
W.
Williams, the night watchman at the barn, who had lain down for a rest.
His attention was attracted by the kicking of a horse against the
stall. He looked out the office door, and the inside of the building
was a mass of flames. Alone he began the work of rescuing the horses,
who filled the air with shrieks of agony and terror.

Flames Spread Quickly

Before
the flames burst forth from the loft, heavy clouds of black smoke
rolled skyward. Night policeman Cingcade on West Main Street saw this
and ran to the Commercial Club to turn in the alarm. By this time the
building was one solid mass of flames, and before the fire department
left the fire house the livery stable was doomed.
Within a radius of half a block of the
barn most of
the garages of the city are located, and these, with their supply of
gasoline, gave the chief concern. Water was turned on these structures
and the autos moved away.

Firebrands Fill Air

When the fire was at its height,
firebrands of hay as bag as hams floated over the city, alighting on
the roofs of business houses. Live coals fell on Main Street, and the
roof of the Warner, Wortman & Gore store was fired, but was
extinguished before it got a start. Rubbish collected in back yards in
the neighborhood were also lighted, further imperiling the danger. The
peril from live wires was heightened by the poles catching afire, and
the unwillingness of the firefighters to turn on the hose, for fear of
being shocked.
The livery stable [building] was owned
by Hubbard
Brothers, valued at $5000 and insured for $3000. Ray Gaunyaw, owner of
the livery stable [i.e.,
the business],
carried $1000 insurance on the hay and $500 on the stock and equipment.
The two unoccupied dwellings, belonging to Mrs. L. R. Parker, were
valued at $1500, upon which no insurance was carried. The garage of
William Offutt, adjoining the livery stable, was damaged to the extent
of $100, and was saved after a hard fight.

Large Crowd Collects

The fire attracted a crowd of
about 2000 people, who came on foot, horseback and in autos. The
intense heat kept them back from the flames. Volunteer firemen were
plentiful, and the volunteer chief more so.
The rescue of the horses furnished the
thrills.
"Sam," a racehorse of some local reputation, was taken from the burning
structure, only to rush back again into the flames, and died in the
door. The horses belonging to R. W. Ruhl, editor of the Morning Sun, and
the gray horse owned by the Pantorium, were led from their stalls with
tails and backs afire, and may have to be shot.

Many Horses Cremated

Ray Gaunyaw lost four horses, the
Ashland Laundry two, the Domestic Laundry one. The wagon of the
Wells-Fargo Express Company was burned, also the vehicles of the
Ashland and Domestic Laundry. Several buggies and rigs belonging to the
barn and citizens were destroyed.
Assistant Chief Harry Ling was stunned
by a falling
ladder while at work, but was uninjured. A hundred feet of hose was
burned.

Lack of Wind Saves City

Fortune favored the city. There
was no wind, and the gasoline stored in the neighborhood stood the
heat. During the fire a number of property owners agitated the
advisability of the council passing an ordinance forbidding the storage
of gasoline and loose hay and other highly inflammable material in the
downtown districts.
An hour after the blaze started all
danger was
passed. But in that hour all business men east of the railroad tracks
were anxious.Medford Mail Tribune, September
27, 1913, page 1

Special at Star.

Manager
Burkhart of the Star Theater has secured a couple of fine views of last
night's fire, while at its height, and they will be shown tonight. They
are very realistic, being made while the fire was at its height.Medford Mail Tribune, September
27, 1913, page 2

The city began today the work of cleaning up the debris left from the
Union Livery Stable fire Friday night. The hay smoldered until Sunday
when the rains put it out. In the present condition the ruins
constitute a health menace."Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, September 29, 1913, page 2

The green hay destroyed in the Union
Livery Stable last Friday is still smoldering and steaming, and the
city has been appealed to by residents of that district asking that the
nuisance be abated."Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, September 30, 1913, page 4

The work of hauling away the debris of
the Union Livery Stable fire has been begun by the property owners and
the city. Ray Gaunyaw will reopen for business, but where is not known
as yet."Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, October 2, 1913, page 2

Hubbard
brothers, owners of the Union Livery Stables that were destroyed by
fire a week ago, have announced that they will begin at once construction of a concrete building to take its place.
The structure will cost $10,000, be 100x144 and will be occupied by Ray
Gaunyaw, who is buying up stock. Work on the new building will begin as soon as the debris is cleared away."Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, October 4, 1913, page 2

Workmen are busy clearing away the debris
of the Union Livery Stable fire, and work will commence at once
building a new concrete structure on the site. It is expected to be
ready for occupancy by the middle of December by Ray Gaunyaw."Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, October 24, 1913, page 2

Work is progressing rapidly on the new Union Livery Stables on Riverside Avenue."Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, December 6, 1913, page 2

The Union Livery Stable on Riverside
Avenue destroyed by fire last fall is fast nearing completion as a
modern $6000 concrete structure and will be ready for occupancy by
February 1, under the management of Ray Gaunyaw.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, January 20, 1914, page 2

Medford Mail Tribune, January 29, 1914

Medford Mail Tribune, March 14, 1914

June 15, 1916 Medford Sun

Inquire at the Union Stable for information and transportation to the
Oregon Caves. Ford cars for hire with or without driver. Payne and
Bostwick.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, July 27, 1916, page 4

Notice of Removal.

The
Union Livery, Feed & Sales Stables, formerly located at Dr. Helms'
barn, 111 North Fir Street, is now located at the old Vincent barn,
North Riverside, and will be known as the Union Livery, Feed &
Sales Stables, the only feed stable in Medford.Medford Mail Tribune, February 10, 1920, page 2

Elegy of an Old-Time Livery Stable

Ah,
me--times have changed, indeed, when residents of a neighborhood seek
to oust the old livery stable as a nuisance. Time was, and not so far
distant at that, when the livery stable was pretty much the center of
things in every town. Yet none of the colorful institutions of the '90s
has been so effectively eliminated since the dawn of the motor age as
that savory equine abode, where one might loaf in serene contentment
and enjoy the fragrance of stale corncob pipe smoke, clover hay and
those other and varied aromas peculiar unto that vanished institution,
while he hearkened to the politically sagacious and the purveyors of
the choice tidbits of scandalous community gossip.
At the livery stable the town smart aleck, wearing a
swastika stickpin crosswise through his tie, rented a rig on a Sunday
and drove around with the top down and one foot dangling over the side,
writes Chet Shafer in the Detroit News. And, spotting a loafer moored by an awning rope, he'd sing out boisterously:
"How's your corporosity sagaciating' t'day, Elmer?"
Elmer, chuckling, would reply: "So's t' be around. How are you, Ez?"
"Sick abed on two chairs," he'd retort, as he
cracked his whip and clattered along for more sallies, leaving in his
wake tumultuous laughter and the comment from Elmer: "Ez sure's a goer.
Got an answer for everything."

The Inviting Interior Display

Long rows of vehicles, from
buckboards to the snappy Democrat wagon and an occasional hearse, lined
the spaces on either side of the main floor driveway of the livery
stable, their shafts propped high with notched boards. Every stable had
some sulkies, too, and a prime little gig with patent leather dashboard
and glass-sided lamps at the side, in which candles were burned.
Tangles of harness hung in profusion on numerous pegs, some sets
gaudily decorated with rings of bright colors, and with a glinting
silver crest under a glass medallion near the blinders. A huge oil lamp
with a quicksilver reflector shed a weird flickering light that aroused
wavering, grotesque shadows between the rows at night.
Yellow fly nets, and the white lacy kind the
undertaker used, were festooned here and there. Boxes nailed up in
convenient spots contained curry combs, round cans of axle grease and
horse clippers. Ropes of sleigh bells were looped over spikes in the
walls of the grain bin in the corner. The horses, usually stalled
downstairs, were led up a dark, winding, cobwebby ramp cleated with
lengths of old fire hose. On the ceiling beams tin signs were tacked
with advertised Gitchell's Liniment and Kendall's Spavin Cure. And
above a slate which was tacked to the wall of the office was this
terse, though comprehensive, general admonition of the livery business:

Whip Light,Drive Slow,Pay CashBefore You Go.

The planking of the floor was worn
and splintered with the action of many sharp-shod hoofs. The running
gear of the rigs was washed by a swipe dressed in overalls and an
undershirt. He worked out back in an addition where the boards of the
floor were separated so the water could drip through. With his sponge
and hose he was an artist. He had a very fascinating manner of giving a
wheel a twist to see if it was true.

The Livery Stable Swipes

All livery stable swipes were
characters, mostly worthless and shiftless. But they loved horses, were
philosophers and had individuality.

Livery Stable Art.

Whips were kept in a rack, hung by
the knot of the lash. All inveterate drivers, before starting away,
tested the crack on some nearby legs and made it whistle and whine to
see if it were limber. The accepted style for tony driving was with the
lines crossed and gripped together in the left hand, the right hand
free to manipulate the whip and attract attention. Not infrequently, a
customer, on returning, would make the turn out in front on two wheels
and negotiate the entrance on a full trot. He was reminded by the irate
proprietor that the stable was no racetrack. And along about midnight,
especially in winter when the sliding doors were closed as far as they
would go, the muffled thud of the hoofs of a restless steed was a
frightening sound to a belated passerby.
On a rickety table in the office, set against the
wall under a glass-doored case containing special chain and jointed
bits, were a few smudged copies of the village newspaper, and a
dog-eared deck of cards for games of casino. Prints of Maud S. with her
record of 2:08¼, the Chimes and Palo Alto adorned the walls.
These, together with the prints of jockeys, vied rather unsuccessfully
for notice with the small card photographs of burlesque queens in
tights that came with one of the few brands of "coffin nails" known to
the day. These surrounded a photograph of the stable, showing the
horses lined up and the proprietor, flowing mustache and all, holding a
spirited steed with one hand and a beribboned whip with the other.

A Temple of Philosophy.

In winter the round-bellied stove
of the office was red hot much of the time, simmering the water in a
dirty pan on top. In summer the flies buzzed with insolent abandon
through the wide rents in the screening of the door. Loafers abounded
aplenty, in all seasons, waiting for an opportunity to drive a hack in
a funeral procession. Tipped back in their chairs, their priority
rights were inalienable. They drowsily discussed Pop Geers, Bud Doble
and Red Wilkes. They ranted about current prices of commodities--eggs
selling out of sight at 8 and 10 cents a dozen and meat enough for
dinner, with a kidney thrown in for the cat, costing as much as 20
cents. They argued all subjects, but were unanimous in the opinion that
any horse that could up the hill west of town without stopping to rest
was a darn good roader.
If the unfortunate village halfwit--and there was at
least one in every town--chuckled in, they sent him over to the
hardware store for a left-handed monkey wrench or the "skyhooks." Chews
of tobacco were borrowed when possible. No one budged a speck for the
proprietor when he rushed in and made some cryptic entries in a dirty,
yellow-leafed day book.

Horse Trading a Favored Subject.

All records of business were
tallied in that book. Depreciation and overhead were unheard-of then.
Profits constituted the cash taken in daily, and any good boot obtained
in a trade of heave-wracked "crowbaits." That horse swapping was
profitable, however, is illustrated in the once-popular story that
every loafer has laughed at in his day.
Two habitual traders met.
"I'll trade you horses sight unseen," suggested one.
"I'll go you," agreed the other. They shook hands to bind the bargain.
"Well," laughed the first trader, "I got the best of you that time, all right. My horse is dead."
His supposed victim was unaffected.
"So's mine," he chuckled, "and I took his shoes off."
As soon as warm weather weather came on the loafers
moved their chairs out in front. There they whittled bobbers for
fishing, or carved their initials. When a game of "quoits" was in
progress they had an excellent view of all parades--and when any
respectable woman went past they'd laugh, and she'd pick up her skirt
and tilt her head disdainfully.

A Mecca for Sporting Gentry.

Largely because of these
hangers-on and because it was the Mecca for the sporting fraternity,
the livery stable had an unsavory reputation. Substantial lay leaders
avoided it, and ministers often classed it, along with the poolroom and
the saloon, with the "hell-hole." The town pug, ever-present, had no
uplifting influence. He wore a striped turtleneck sweater and was
always trying to get someone to "put up his dukes" so he could
illustrate a new blow. High-collared sports with derby hats hung
around. Racetrack touts made the place their headquarters. And the mow
above, with its wealth of fragrant timothy hay, was a true haven for
every immoderate tippler who realized, after the saloons had closed,
that it would be very inadvisable to try for a landing at his own
domicile.
Of course, when a livery stable burned down, it was
always at night. No livery stable ever burned in the daytime. It was
about the best fire that could be seen, and the blame was laid on
someone who went to sleep with a pipe in his mouth. When the alarm was
sounded and the smoke and flames poured out, heroic hostlers rushed in
and brought out snorting horses with blankets over their heads. The
volunteer firemen gave the best they had--because whisky was usually
served free from the hotel bar. If the charred body of a swipe was
discovered in the ruins the next day it was interred in the potter's
field. And the incident of his passing without friends to provide a
decent burial was pointed out by every father as an indication of what
the future might hold for anyone who would hang around a livery stable.

Its Lure to the Boys.

But what a glamor there was about the place for a small boy!
Regardless of parental threats of tannings and
hidings he always dallied there on his way home from school. He could
get horseshoe nails to make rings, and he hung with high interest on
the lies of the loafers.

A Victim of Progress.

Some of the livery stables around
the country have steadily resisted the encroachments of the
grease-spotted mechanic whose idea of a thoroughbred is a machine that
hits on all cylinders. A few have staunchly defied the onward march of
the filling station attendant whose eyes never dim at the recollection
of the green, slimy, moss-swaying depths of a public horse trough. But
yellowing newspapers of an ancient date now obstruct a few through the
cobwebbed windows of the silent office. A rusting padlock holds the
sliding doors securely. And the loafers have all departed--many of them
to rest in the Fifth Ward--as the cemetery in every town of four civic
divisions is known.
The smart aleck chugs past in a flivver now, driving
with one hand. The wooden sign, a horse's head with crossed whips, and
gilded, no longer creaks in the wind. The carryall, greatest of all
ceremonial vehicles, has vanished, no one knows where. The body of the
bus, purchased by a farmer, is used as a hen coop. And the prancing
steeds, with their gay fly nets, and ringed martingales, have gone to
the land whence none save "Bony" and his stone boat return.
The livery stable and the glorious part it played is
done. But as long as the building remains intact, though dilapidation
and decay may have set in, its distinctive atmosphere will linger.
Faintly, perhaps, when the snows of winter drift up unhindered by broom
or shovel. But full, rich and unmistakable under the warming suns of
summer, not unpleasantly remindful of those days that are gone forever.Medford Mail Tribune, September 7, 1930, page 3